Sharjah Hosts T20 Tri-Series Before Asia Cup 2025 Begins

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

Photo: AFP

Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will get more practice for the upcoming men’s T20 Asia Cup by playing a special T20 tri-series. This tri-series will be hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board and held in Sharjah between August and early September 2025. The games are planned just before the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to run from September 9 to 28, also in the UAE. This gives the teams a chance to improve their skills and try new strategies before the major regional tournament begins.

Change in Pakistan-Afghanistan Series Plan

According to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) future tours programme, Pakistan was earlier scheduled to host Afghanistan for three T20 international (T20I) matches during this time period. However, those matches have now been replaced by this new tri-series format. The change allows all three participating countries to benefit equally from more match experience instead of just two teams playing each other. This is seen as a good move for all three countries, especially because the Asia Cup is an important competition.

Tri-Series Format and Schedule Details

The format of the tri-series will follow a round-robin style. This means that each team will play against the other two teams twice. After these matches, the top two teams with the highest points will play the final match to decide the winner of the series. All games will be played under lights, starting at 7:00 PM local time in Sharjah. The night schedule is expected to draw more viewers and suit playing conditions better in the UAE's warm climate.

Pakistan Holds Highest Ranking Among the Three

In the latest ICC T20I team rankings, Pakistan is the highest-ranked team among the three, sitting at number 8. Afghanistan is close behind at number 9, while UAE is ranked at number 14. This makes Pakistan the favorite to win the tri-series, but Afghanistan is also considered a strong side, especially in T20 cricket. The UAE team will aim to use home conditions to surprise the other two teams and test their skills against higher-ranked nations.

Pakistan's Cricket Calendar and Asia Cup Opener

Pakistan is already busy with international cricket. They are currently playing a white-ball series (limited-overs cricket) against the West Indies. Pakistan has already won the first match in that series. After the tri-series, they will begin their Asia Cup journey with a match against Oman on September 12. This busy schedule is giving Pakistan’s team members a lot of match time and helping them stay in form ahead of two important events — the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2026.

Afghanistan's Return to T20 Cricket

For Afghanistan, this tri-series will be a very important event. The team has not played a T20 international match since the end of last year when they toured Zimbabwe. Their first match of the Asia Cup is on September 9, against Hong Kong. The tri-series gives them a good chance to return to competitive action and get their players back into rhythm. It is especially important for Afghanistan, who depend heavily on match preparation to perform well.

World Cup Qualification Status of All Teams

Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have already qualified for the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. Afghanistan qualified as one of the top seven teams (excluding the host nations) from the last T20 World Cup. Pakistan qualified based on their position in the ICC rankings as of June 30, 2024, which was the cut-off date for automatic qualification.

However, the situation is different for the UAE. They still have to earn their spot in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The UAE will have to compete in the Asia-East Asia and Pacific qualifiers. These qualifiers will be played in Oman from October 8 to 17. UAE’s performance in the tri-series will be crucial for their preparation for this important qualifying tournament.

Why This Tri-Series Is Important

This tri-series is very useful for all three teams. For Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is an excellent opportunity to test team combinations, build player confidence, and try strategies for the Asia Cup. For the UAE, it is a rare chance to play against strong international teams, which can help them prepare better for the World Cup qualifiers. Playing at home gives them a small advantage, but they will need to perform well to compete with the other two experienced teams.

Sharjah: A Historic Cricket Venue

Sharjah has a long and proud history in cricket. Many famous international matches have been played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium over the years. It is one of the most popular venues in the Middle East. Hosting this tri-series and the Asia Cup there continues the stadium’s tradition of being a key venue in global cricket. The UAE Cricket Board has often shown its ability to organize and host major tournaments smoothly, and this tri-series adds to that list.

Fans and Viewership Expectations

Cricket fans from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE are excited about the upcoming matches. All three countries have passionate fan bases that follow their teams closely. Since all matches will be played in the evening, fans both in the stadium and on television are expected to follow the games closely. The matches are expected to be broadcasted on sports channels and streamed online, making them accessible to fans worldwide.

Focus on Team Building and Young Talent

These matches will not only focus on winning but also on team building. Each team is expected to give chances to young and new players. This is especially true for the UAE team, which is in the process of rebuilding its national side with new talent. For Pakistan and Afghanistan, the focus will be on strengthening their playing eleven and trying different strategies before the bigger tournaments.

Exciting Cricket Ahead

The T20 tri-series in Sharjah is an exciting addition to the cricket calendar. It gives valuable match experience to three competitive teams right before the Asia Cup. The tournament will help players sharpen their form and allow coaches to test team tactics. With the World Cup in 2026 approaching, these matches will be useful in building momentum and identifying the best players for the future. Cricket fans have many exciting matches to look forward to in the coming months.

T20 tri-series